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A rapid LC-MS/MS method for the determination of moniliformin and occurrence of this mycotoxin in maize products from the Bavarian market

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Abstract

A simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of moniliformin (MON) in maize and applied for the analysis of samples within the official food surveillance. The homogenized samples were extracted with acetonitrile/water 50/50 (v/v) which proved to have the highest extraction efficiency compared to other tested solvents. The centrifuged extracts were diluted with acetonitrile and were measured after chromatographic separation by HILIC (hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography)-HPLC without any cleanup (dilute and shoot approach). The LOD and LOQ achieved by this procedure were 2.6 and 8.8 μg/kg, respectively. Thirty-nine samples of popcorn, maize meal, and semolina were collected in 2014 and 2015 at mills, cinemas, wholesale, and retail from the Bavarian market (Germany). The rate of contamination with MON was very high (97%) with levels ranging between the LOD and 847 μg/kg. The mean level was 118 μg/kg and the median, 39 μg/kg. The maximum value was detected in maize meal. The results are discussed with respect to possible health implications for the consumer.

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Abbreviations

MON:

moniliformin

TDI:

tolerable daily intake

LOAEL:

lowest observed adverse effect level

NOAEL:

no observed adverse effect level

LOD:

limit of detection

LOQ:

limit of quantification

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany

    Jörg Barthel & Martin Rapp

  2. Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Eggenreuther Weg 43, 91058, Erlangen, Germany

    Heinrich Holtmannspötter

  3. Chair of Food Safety, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Schoenleutnerstr. 8, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany

    Christoph Gottschalk

Authors
  1. Jörg Barthel
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  2. Martin Rapp
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  3. Heinrich Holtmannspötter
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  4. Christoph Gottschalk
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Correspondence to Jörg Barthel.

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Barthel, J., Rapp, M., Holtmannspötter, H. et al. A rapid LC-MS/MS method for the determination of moniliformin and occurrence of this mycotoxin in maize products from the Bavarian market. Mycotoxin Res 34, 9–13 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-017-0293-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-017-0293-y

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